Richard Yeargin III is one of the top defensive recruits in Florida for the class of 2014. Out of Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) University School, Yeargin is a 6'4, 228-pound defensive end/outside linebacker prospect. He has a consensus three-star rating, but that is extremely likely to increase soon as other services see his added muscle and retained movement skills. Yeargin has 21 BCS offers, including Arkansas, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Tennessee and UCLA.
I caught up with Yeargin at the IMG 7-on-7 Southeast NFA Championship.
"7-on-7 helps me with my pass coverage skills," Yeargin said. "It keeps me loose, which is important because I lift a lot of weights, and I have to have a balance there."
On the recruiting side of things, Yeargin had three recent offers to report: Michigan, Notre Dame and TCU.
"I had a relationship going with Notre Dame, but the Michigan offer caught me off guard a bit," Yeargin said. "But I quickly picked up the relationship with them. And TCU, it was totally unexpected. It was just 'look up, hey, call me,' and they said I had an offer."
Yeargin is being recruited by assistant coach Tony Alford and defensive coordinator Bob Diaco. "Those are two great guys. They tell me how I will work on and off the field at Notre Dame, because I carry a strong GPA and am also a pretty good player. Notre Dame says I am what they're looking for."
Yeargin definitely plans to visit Notre Dame, but isn't sure when he will make it.
His relationship with Michigan is just developing.
"I talk with defensive coordinator Greg Mattison and coach Roy Manning. They're good recruiters," Yeargin said. "We chat once or twice a week, and they stay on my mind a little bit."
Yeargin said that all three new schools are recruiting him at linebacker and not defensive end.
There is one school from which Yeargin would like to hear: Miami. For whatever reason, however, the Hurricanes have not yet offered any of the University School players.
"I don't know. I'm not even going to touch that subject," Yeargin said when asked about the situation. "Hopefully spring they'll buzz, but if they don't, hey, I have 30 other offers."
Yeargin said that he grew up a Miami fan, but as high school came around, "I kinda went with America's favorite, Alabama. They're kind of my favorite now."
Yeargin recently visited the Florida Gators. "Great campus, great coaching staff. It's a place I can see myself going to," he said. "I loved the environment and the love I felt when I went there."
Yeargin is not totally sure when he will look to commit.